Poster 65 - A Mental Health Trainee Practicum Model to Enhance Youth Behavioral Health Services Through Academic-Community Collaboration

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM MDT

Location: Screen 5, Exhibit Hall Poster Pavilion

Thriving Together, part of Project ISPACE (Increasing Service Professional Aptitude & Competency through Education) is a collaboration between Azusa Pacific University and Helpline Youth Counseling. The initiative integrates SBIRT and trauma-informed care into youth behavioral health services through an innovative trainee practicum model. Project success was measured using the Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA), which showed significant improvements across substance use, health, lifestyle, and community involvement among transitional-aged youth. This presentation highlights how academic–community partnerships can foster workforce development, increase service accessibility, and improve outcomes for underserved TAY populations.

Learning Objectives:

Demonstrate how integrating SBIRT and trauma-informed care within a practicum model can enhance youth behavioral health services.
Identify practical steps for adapting an academic–community partnership model to expand workforce capacity and service delivery in their own organizations
Analyze Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA) results to assess client outcomes and recovery progress across key domains.

Poster Presenter(s)

JD

James Durant, MA

Research Associate
Azusa Pacific University
Glendora, California

Disclosure information not submitted.
Madison Akles

Research Associate II
Azusa Pacific University
West Covina, California

Disclosure information not submitted.
Sd

Shelby de Ridder

Disclosure information not submitted.